The myths of Hepatitis C

There are many myths about Hepatitis C, they are like the urban legends of the medical world, and below you will find many myths. The myths explained are not true and need to be told so the many people who get diagnosed with Hepatitis C can feel safe in the knowledge that they understand fact from fiction.

You can easily contract Hepatitis C sexually

Hepatitis C can be passed sexually but this is very rare. As Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus it can only be transmitted by blood-to-blood contact during sexual intercourse, you cannot catch Hepatitis C from semen or vaginal fluid.

Everyone needs psychiatric help from Interferon the Hepatitis C treatment

Some people do suffer with psychiatric problems from taking Interferon but this is a small percentage, it is not something most people taking the drug have as sides affect.

Everyone with Hepatitis C dies

Nothing could be further from the truth; Hepatitis C affects people in different ways and progresses at different levels. Many people can live for decades without even knowing they are infected before being diagnosed.

Nearly all sufferers suffer depression

While a lot of people suffering with Hepatitis C can suffer with depression it does not affect all who are diagnosed. There is a lot of counseling offered to those who have Hepatitis C to alleviate the stress and depression having this virus can cause, many people that have been diagnosed also get a lot support from their family which can also help.

Hepatitis C stops your life and you have to put everything on hold

It is true that your lifestyle may have to change a lot but this doesn’t stop you living your life to it’s full potential. If you manage the infection then you don’t let it control you, once you let Hepatitis C control you then it can take hold.

I can get pregnant even if I am on treatment

Man or woman you should not reproduce while on Interferon or Ribavirin, the manufacturers state that both drugs can cause birth defects and even miscarriages. If you are taking either treatment, for the course of the treatment and for six months after you should use condoms.

If I stay fit the affects of Hepatitis wont get me

Unfortunately this is not true, the affects are different for each patient, and it is true those who take drugs and drink alcohol do normally feel stronger affects than those who don’t.

If you were to keep yourself fit it may help in some ways but it cannot guarantee the progression of the infection, although it is advised to abstain away from alcohol.

Summary

I hope you find this information useful and it has dispelled any fears you may have had. The last thing you want to find if you are infected is information that is unclear and incorrect. Finding information that is not right can affect you even more than not having any information as it can fill you with dread at prospects that are unfounded.